find midpoint pq with end points P(-4,3) and Q(4,-1). Then write equation of line that passes thru midpoint and is perpendicular to pq

Answer 1

The mid point of two given points is the average of two points i.e if the two points are (x1,y1) and (x2,y2) then the midpoint is ((x1+x2)/2 , (y1+y2)/2) so in this case the midpoint is ((-4+4)/2, (3-1)/2) = (0,1)

Now we got the midpoint as (0,1)

We need to find the slope of the perpendicular line and that we can find out by negative inversing the slope of given points.

So slope of given points is (-1-3)/(4+4) = -1/2 so now the slope of perpendicular line is - 1/(-1/2) = 2

Now we know that slope = y2-y1/x2-x1. And we know the mid point (0,1) now substitute this point in the equation

2=y-1/x-0

2x=y-1

y=2x+1

Answer 2

If (a,b) and (c,d) are the co-ordinates of the endpoints of a line segment, the co-ordinates of the midpoint are [(a+c)/2,(b+d)/2)].= (r,s)

The slope of the given line is -1/2; therefore the slope of the perpendicular is 2.

The equation of the line you want is 2 = (y-s)/(x-r) and you can "massage" that around to whatever form you need.

No, I have NOT given you the answer...I have told you how to work through the problem on your own!